Meeting Minutes, News, & Articles

What a great way to start off the 2015 new year with a great fly-in at Palomar!
A Big thanks goes out to The Pala Tribe for letting use the LZ for our Fly-in BBQ for the extended hours and all those that helped to make this such a great event.

Bill Helliwell's Write-up and account of the Fly-in

Weekend Mountain Flying Report 10, 11 JanuaryIt is amazing to me how good the weather forecasting is. Here we are Sunday, the day after the fly-in, with rain all over the county just as predicted.The fly in at Palomar on Saturday turned out great. There were around 50 paraglider pilots and 10 hang glider pilots. My prediction was we would be able to get to 3,500', Steve predicted close to 6,000'. Maybe if I had predicted higher I would have been able to get higher too!Three hang glider pilots took off from the Smiley launch. The rest of us used the Main Launch. The improved WestSouthWest facing launch is perfect for HG use, wide and smooth with a slope of 2.5 : 1. It is plenty long enough. With a light breeze of 5 mph I was solidly flying on my RX less than half way down the cleared slope. There is also a grassy set up area near the take off but out of the way of those preparing to take off.The sun was blocked by high clouds all morning and into the early afternoon. A few paragliders and a couple of hang gliders took off and struggled to have extended sled rides. A little before 2:00 the clouds thinned and moved and the sun instantly started warming things up. Paragliders in the air started climbing. Those of us who were set up, got in line and off we went. I took off at 2:15. There was lift but I was having trouble using it effectively. At one point I was 400' below launch. The lift was there and I finally started using it, climbing all the way around in my circles. Eventually I topped out at 3,800'. I could see others much higher, maybe they read Steve's forecast, not mine.Notable HG flights were by Butch, Chris and Floyd. They all were able to get near 6,000'. John Heiney top landed, flying a king post glider. The fact that he was able to do that, safely, in a clear area, not interfering with gliders preparing to take off, says a lot about how much work has been done to clean up the set-up/take-off area.Palomar is a fun place to fly. On a light day with lots of pilots, everyone had a good time.Bill H.

Fly-in Lost & Found:

Two found lost items were turned in. Please mail SDHGPA@gmail.com with a full description and we will get them back to you at the next meeting or sooner.

GPS - ______________ Brand & ______________ Model

Fleece Pants over by the HG tear down area. ______________

The Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest 2014

All SDHGPA Annual Members are eligible to participate in the Annual Rich Matros Memorial X-C Contest as a benefit included with your dues. The Contest is worth your membership fees alone! You just have to sign up for the contest (your 1st year in the contest) and post your flights.

One shirt is awarded to each pilot for his/her longest straight line XC distance passing the following Mile Marks:
A pilot's first flight over 10 miles (1st year achieving).
Flight over 25 miles.
Flight over 50 miles.
Flight over 75 miles
Flight over 100 miles, miles listed

All vehicles in the Palomar LZ and launch must have parking permits displayed on the dash for Pala Tribal Security and the Smiley's . It is also a good idea to display the SDHGPA parking pass at all other sites so that we can account for all pilots at the end of a flying day if a vehicle remains.

I worked with Rich Matros for two years in the Coast Guard at USCG AirStation San Diego, I knew him when he first started flying from the sand dunes in Mexico. I always had the utmost respect for him, why is this a Rich Matros Memorial event, what happened? I can't find any information from your web site on why it is called Rich Matros Memorial?

Reply

Bill Helliwell

10/13/2015 03:14:32 pm

The SDHGPA was originally known as the Ultralight Flier's Organization, or UFO. The UFO was formed in 1973. The name was changed in 1987. Rich Matros was one of the earliest members of the UFO, and one of its strongest supporters for over 15 years before succumbing to cancer. The cross country contest was renamed the Rich Matros Cross Country Contest in 1988 to honor him and to recognize his years of contribution to our club and flying.